Explosive-engine.



F. J. MINER. EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 23, 1909.

Patented May 9, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

F. J. MINER. EXPLOSIVE ENGINE. APPLICATION EILIID AUG/2s, 1909.

Patented May 9, 1911.

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

F. J. MINER.

EXPLOSIVE ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG, 23, 1909.

991,631. n d May 9,1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

amend oz Q0 QM warren s'rnrns PATENT crates.

FRANK T. MINER, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

' FRANK J". MINER, TRUSTEE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

EXPLOSIVE-ENGINE.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. MINER, a citizen of 'the United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of ayn'e and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Explosive-Engines, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an internal combustion motor of a type wherein the driving members revolve continuously around a fixed center and wherein by suitable disposition of the ports and the ignition system, reversal of direction is obtainable at the will of the operator.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In general terms, a series of members articulated in an endless chain, that are constrained to travel in a casing in such manner th'ata series of pockets are formed, each of which expands as it communicates with one port of the easing, and thereafter contracts. The contents is then fired by suitable means, and the pocket is expanded by the explosion resulting from the ignition and moved into register with another casing port where it is contracted to expel the exhausted charge, andreturned to the first port. The Inembers are propelled by this alternate expansion and contraction and operate a main shaft from which power is transmitted as desired.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section, of a motor embodying features of the invention; Fig. 2 is a view in transverse section on line :eoc of Fig. 1, the section line y-y indicating the plane of view of Fig. 1: Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation section on line z'.@ of Fig. Fig. I

. is a view in detail of one of the driving members; and Fig. is a diagrammatic view of a reversing system for the motor.

As herein illustrated in preferred form, a casing 1 of two oppositely disposed sections secured by screws or other suitable means has a central bearing 3 in which a main shaft 4 is journaled.

on this shaft within the casing. A chamber 6, that is preferably circular in cross sec tion, is formed in the casing substantially Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed August 23, 1909.

the motor is formed of.

A pinion 5 is secured Patented May 9,1911. Serial No. 514,129.

concentric with the main shaft 4. In contour the chamber is substantially a flattened ellipse with a pair. of diametrically opposite straight sections. A pair of ports 7 and 8 open from this chamber in one side of the casing at either end of the adjacent straight section, and on the opposite side of the easing a pair ofignition plugs 9 and 10 are inserted, each at the end of the other inter mediate straight section. peller blades or abutments as an endless chain sweeping this chamber. Expansion rings 12 on the abutment peripheries form a tight joint with the chamber wall and the abutments are held perpendicularly to the wall regardless of their position therein bycam paths 13 that are formed in the opposite inner faces of the casing around the pinion 5. Each abutment has an inwardly extending stem 14 with a base 15 at right angles to the plane of the abutment. hese bases are pivotally connected at their ends as by pins 16 in an endless chain, and as a convenient detail of construction, friction rolls 17 on the pin ends constitute the cam path engaging members. The disposition of the cam paths, friction rolls and abutment bases is such that the latter form continuous parallel raclr bars on opposite sides of the pinion 5 when the abutments are traversing the straight sections of the chamber 6, and rackteeth 18 are formed on the bars that mesh with the gear 5 when the abutments are in such position. Toinsure rigidity one end of each base may have a longitudinal slot 19 that is engaged by a corresponding reduced portion or tongue 20 of the adjacent link, the abutting shoulders being adapted to hold the parts in alineinent.

To prevent leakage when the adjacent abutments are in angular relation, oppositely disposed cars 21 extend from the stem 14; with concave faces 22 whose centers coincide with the axes of the pins 16, and a semi-cylindrical filler plate 28 is inserted between each adjacent pairof stems with retaining flanges 24: adapted to abut corresponding lugs 25 on the faces 22 when the abutments are in extended relation. dentally the wide bearing faces 26 of the stems 14 have sliding relation with the walls 27 of the casing which are contracted between the cam paths l3 and the chamber 6, thereby steadying the abutments. Or the A series of pro- 11 are articulated connections may be otherwise designed to form a close joint and prevent leakage.

in operation one terminal or spark plug is active, the other dead. Each abutment, as it leaves the straight section of the chamber adjacent the spark plugs cxposes'gas trapped between it and the following abutment to the active terminal so that it is fired. As the forward abutment is free to swing around the curved portion of the cam path or chamber, the explosion of the charge propels this blade forward at a greater velocity than the following blade. The latter in turn exposes a fresh charge behind it so that the movement forward is practically continuous. As an abutment passes the port adjacent the active ignition plug, it is retarded in its angular movement and moves with less velocity than the following blade which thereby forces the exhaust charge out through the port. Between the ports, each pair of abutments stand in parallel relation and in close proximity. As the forward abutment sweeps over the succeeding inlet port it enlarges the space between it and the following abutment thereby drawing in a fresh charge behind it, the varying velocities of the blades thereafter compressing the -chargeand bringing it to the ignition terminal for firing as before. It is to be understood, of course, that the port thereto adjacent the active ignition terminal is connected to ,the exhaust port of the motor and the second port is connected with the fuel supply. Reversal of direction may obviously be obtained by cutting out the active plug and throwing in the other plug, with the corresponding change in the connection of the casing ports. This is accomplished in any preferred manner and is indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 5, wherein a valve 28 for shifting the port connections and a change-switch 29 arranged as shown are opcrated simultaneously by a member 80.

The main feature of the invention is the series of revoluble pockets which are expanded by explosion of their contents in such manner that the pocket-forming memiliEISvfiI'Q propclled around the casing, and

. any arrangement of parts which accom plishes this result may be used.

Obviously, changes in details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention andl donot limit myself to any particular form or arrangement of parts.

ivhat claim as my invention is: i

1. Tin-an explosive engine, a casing having ports, a series of revoluble members articulated together and arranged therein to form a plurality of pockets successively communicating with the ports and adapted to move differentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with one port and to contract it before it reaches the succeeding port, and

angular.

means to ignite the contents of a contracted pocket, the members being propelled by the successive expansion of the pockets resulting from the ignition of their contents.

, 2. In an explosive engine,acasing having ports, a series of revoluble members articulated together and arranged therein to form a plurality of pockets successively communieating with the ports, means adapted to cause the members to move differentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with one port and to contract it before it reaches the succeeding port, and means to ignite the contents of a contracted pocket, the members being propelled by the successive expansions of the pockets resulting from the ignition of their contents.

3. In an explosive engine, a casing having ports, a series of revoluble members articulated together and arranged therein to form a plurality of pockets successively communieating with the ports, means constraining the members to move differentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with one port, to contract it before it reaches the succeeding port, and to also contract it when in register with said port, and means to ignite the contents of each pocket when contracted and closed to the ports. the members being propelled by the successive expansion of the pockets due to ignition of the contents.

4.. In an explosive engine, a casing having ports, a series of revoluble members articulated together and arranged therein to form a plurality of pockets successively communicating with the ports and adapted to move differentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with one port and to contract connect the ports severally with a source of to the ignition of their contents.

5. In an explosive engine, a casing h ports. a seriesof revoluble members lated together and arranged thereix'i to rein.

eating with one of the ports and adapted to move differentially to expand each pocket as it-is' in register with said port, and to contract it before it reaches the succeeding port,

differentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with one port and to contract it it .before it reaches the succeeding port, means adapted to ignite the contents of a: contracted pocket, and means adapted to fuel supply, the members being propelled by the successive expansion of the pockets due a plurality of pockets successively communiand'means adapted to ignite the contents of in eating with the ports and adapted to move" before it reaches the succeeding port, and means to ignite the contents of pocket, the members being continuously propelled by the successive expansions of the pockets resulting from the ignition of their contents, the ignition means being adjustable to explode the contents of a. contracted pocket at different points in the path of motion of the members. a

7. In an explosive engine, a casing having ports, a series of revoluble members articu-, latcd together and arranged therein to move continuously and to form a plurality of pockets successively communicating with one of the ports and adapted to move differentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with said before it reaches the succeeding port, means adapted to ignite the contents of each c0n-' tracted pocket at a point where the resultant explosion reexpands it and propels the members toward the next port, and means adapted to conduct fuel from asource of supply to the port adjacent which the pockets expand. V

8. In an explosive engine ,a casing having ports. a series of revoluble members arranged therein to form a plurality of pockets successively communicating with one of the ports and adapted to move differentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with said port, and to contract it before it reaches the succeeding port, means adapted to ignite the contents of each contracted pocket at a point where the resliltant explosion reexpands it and said succeeding port, and means adapted to conduct fuel from a source of supply to the port where the pocket expansion occurs, the fuel supplying means being adjustable to deliver to either port, and the ignition means being correspondingly adjustable to change direction of motion of the members.

9. In an explosive engine, a casing having ports, a series of revoluble members arranged therein to form a plurality of pockets successively communicating with the ports and engaged by cam paths in the casing to move differentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with one port and to contract it before it reaches the succeeding port, and means to ignite the contents of a contracted pocket, the members being propelled by the successive expansion of the pockets resulting from the ignition of their contents.

10.- In an explosive engine, a casing having ports, a series of revoluble members articulated therein and arranged to form a plurality of pockets successively communicating with the ports and engaged by cam paths in the casing to move differentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with one port a contracted port, and to contract it propels the members toward.

being propelled by the successive expansion of the pockets resulting from the ignition of their contents.

11. In an explosive engine a casing having ports, a main shaft journaled centrally therein, a series of revoluble members articulated together in the casing around the shaft to form a plurality of pockets successively,

to move differentially to expand each pocket as it is in register wit-h one port and to contract it before it reaches the succeeding port, a gear secured onthe shaft that meshes with rack teeth on the members, and means to ignite the contents of a contracted pocket, the members being propelled by the successive expansion of the pockets resulting from the ignition of their contents. I i

12. In an explosive engine, a casing havings ports, a main shaft journaled centrally therein, a gear on the main shaft, :1 series of revoluble members adapted to mesh with the gear and articulated together in the casing around the gear to form a plurality of pockets successively communicating with the ports and engaged by cam paths in the easpocket as to contract it before it reaches the succeeding port and constrained by the cam paths to mesh with the gear, and means to ignite the being propelled by the successive expansion of the pockets resulting from the ignition of their contents.

13. In an explosive engine, a casing having ports, a gear rotatably secured therein, a series of revoluble members provided with gear teeth adapted to mesh with the gear, means articulating the members in an endless chain around the gear to form a pin:- rality of pockets with the casing successively communicating with the ports, means adapt ed to constrain the members to form a con tinuousrack meshing with the gear and to move differentially to expand each pocket as it isin register with one port and to contract it before it reaches the succeeding port, and means to ignite the contents of a con-. tracted pocket, the members being propelled by the successive expansion of the pockets resulting from the ignition of '14. In an explosive engine, a casin having ports, 'a gear centrally rotatable-1n the casing, a series of revoluble members articuvided with rack latcd in the casing around the gear and proteeth, the casing coacting =with the members to form a plurality of pockets successively communicating with the.

l i I l and to contract it before it reaches the succeeding port, and means to ignite the contents of a contracted pocket, the members ports, and constraining the members to move contents of a contracted pocket, the members I communicating with the ports and adapted mg to move differentially to expand each it is in register with one port and their contents.

differentially to expand each pocket as it is I in register with-one port and to contract it before it reaches the'succeeding port, the.

members forming a continuous rack mesh mg with the gear, and means to ignite the contents of a; contracted pocket, the members being propelled by the successive expansion. of the pockets resulting; from the ignition of their contents.

15, n an explosive engine, a casing having ports, a gear j01l111t118(l in the casing at substantially the transverse aria-l center of continuous cam paths tcrinecl in the casing Wall and, a chamber in the casing snbstantiallf; concentric With the cam paths, a series of revolnb'le members articulated in an endless chain engaged by the cam paths to form a plurality of pockets in the chamber successively comninnicating with the norts and to more clii'lerentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with one port and to contract it before; it reaches the succeeding port the faces of the membersacljacent the gear being f led with rack teeth that are constrained with the gear by the cam paths and means to ignite the eontents of a contracted pocket, the members being propelled. by the successive expansion of the pockets resulting from the-ignition o1. their-contents.

16. In an explosive engine, a casing having ports, and epntinuous cain paths on v.19, inner faces of its Wall, a gear centrally ournalecl in the casing at substantially the trans Verse axial center of the earn paths and. a chamber in the easing snl'istantially concentric with the cam paths, a series ot'i abutments arranged to form a plurality OfPQGlIQtS in the" chamber successively communicating with the ports and provided with bases engageci by the cam paths, the bases and cam paths coacting to more the abutments tliitercntialiy to expand each pocket as it is in register with one portand. to contract it be- ?lore it reaches the succeeding port, raclt teeth on the bases, the bases forn'nng a continuous rack, a driving gear, and means to ignite the contents of a contracted pocket, the members being propelled by the successive expansion of the pockets resulting from the ignition of their contents.

1'7, In an explosive engine, a casing hav .ing ports gear rotatable centrally in the casing, a series of revoluble members articulated together in an endless chain around the gear and arrtmgecl to form a plurality of pockets in a chamber that is substantially concentric with the gear, antl provided with toothed bases that are en 'agml by continuous cam paths in the 01 mg substantially concentric with the chamber to term oppositely disposed parallel rack bars in mesh with the gear the cant paths constraining the members to more (litl'crentially to expawl each pocket as it is in register With one port and. to contract it l'mtore itreaches the succeeding port, and means to ignite the contents of a con it acted pocket, the members being; propelled by the sac QSSlJP, expansion.

oi. the pockets resulting from the ignition oil their contents.

In le-stin'iony Whereot l (tilt; my signature in pre ence of two witnesses.

FRANK ll. ltllll il llt.

lVitnesses:

U'r'ro l Binarnai, C. it, Srlcnnnr. 

